My 17th Birthday

I know this post is long overdue, but I really wanted to do it, so here it is.

On 19th August it was my 17th birthday. I have been waiting for this day for a long time, especially as I am one of the young ones in my year at school, so everybody is already 17 and learning how to drive and some already have cars, so I always felt like I missed out. But, I have finally reached that age when I can get onto the roads. As I am writing this post, I have booked my first driving lesson for next Tuesday, which I am so excited and nervous about at the same time.

Being 17 I feel so much older than being 16. I will start applying for universities in the autumn, deciding whether I want to go to a uni closer to home or move away from my parents and friends. I already know I want to take a gap year out as I need a little break from education for a bit but also to experience something different.

I really want to do some travelling during that time, but as most of my friends are not taking a gap year I don't really have anybody to go with. I also need to get a job for that year and I might also do some volunteering as this will really stand out on my CV. Also, it will be my final year at school, so it will be sad having to say goodbye to people that I have known for 7 years, but I personally think I am now ready to move on from secondary school and take the massive step into the world.

Anyway, for my birthday I went to Brighton for the day with my parents and my cousin, Hannah. I love Brighton so much, therefore it was a great place to spend my birthday.

A view from the pier

Once we arrived, we were all really hungry so we decided to have something to eat. I decided on fish & chips, because when you are by the beach, the old English delicacy is the way to go.

After eating, me and Hannah went off shopping while my parents headed to the pier. We walked all the way up to the high street shops and had a quick look in Urban Outfitters (my favourite shop ever!), H&M and New Look.

I bought myself a gold statement necklace from H&M and some skinny tight trousers with a burgundy, black and white checked design on them, which are so comfortable and lovely.

Afterwards, we really wanted to find the Lanes, as I had never been to them before so it was new for me as well. We found this little knick-knacky shop where I bought a little stand to put on the wall to hang my necklaces on.

We were both really tired after all the shopping so we went back to the pier to find my parents and had a rest. Then, we went on some rides and played some games in the arcade.

It was a really great day and feels weird being 17 at last.

My feet on the pier with my tanned legs. 

Me sitting on the pier

 Hope you enjoyed this post!                                          

My Daily Nail Routine

Over the summer I have been trying endlessly to grow my nails. I always try and unfortunately fail at keeping my nails looking long and healthy. However, I end up breaking one and then this has a domino effect. Since being on holiday I found that my nails have got stronger due to the sun and therefore growing! 

I always find the only way I can succeed in getting my nails to grow and maintain themselves is if I apply nail polish and shape my nails. 

So, this blog post is going to be on my daily nail routine. I do this routine every time I get bored of the colour on my nails, so I'm going to take you through my step-by-step guide to maintaining healthy and fairly strong nails. 

Hope you enjoy! 

I thought I would show you what products I use on my nails first. 

1. The first thing I do is pick out the nail polish I want to use on my nails. This happened to be a bright, neon dark pink (it looks more red in the pictures but on the bottle it is pink.) 
2. I have my nail polish remover. Personally, I think it doesn't matter what remover you use, whether it is expensive or not, in my mind it all does the same job. My remover is from Tesco. 
3. I have a clear nail polish which I am going to use as my base coat. 
4. I have a Top Coat nail polish, which explains what it does basically. 
5. 2 cotton pads. I prefer to use cotton pads rather than wool because I find it easier and less stringy. 
6. A cuticle tool. I don't really know what it is called but it pushes down your cuticles. 
7. Finally, a nail file. This is to get rid of unevenness and to leave your nails smooth and well-shaped. 

After having taken you through the products I am going to use, I am just going to show you what my nails look like at the moment. I currently have on Gelly Hi-Shine Nail Paint By Barry M in Blood Orange. 

                                           

Next, I'm going to remove my nail polish with the cotton pads. I use one pad for each hand. 

Then, I use my cuticle tool to push down my cuticles. It is important to push back your cuticles because it can lead to stronger, healthier nails. 

                                            

After I have done my cuticles, I file my nails. This gets rid of any unevenness in your nails, shapes them and smooths them. This is really good if you have broken your nail and need to sort it out. 

                                             

Once filed, I quickly go to the bathroom and wash my hands under some water. This is to remove any nail dust that has accumulated when filing. 

                                            

Once washed and dried, it's time to put on a base coat. I am using a clear normal nail varnish for this. The nail polish I am using is one I got on my holiday. 

                                           

Nails after the base coat...

Now time for the fun part, you finally get to paint your nails in your chosen colour. I also apply 2 coats to my nails, to ensure that all my nails are completely covered and so the colour stands out.

It does take a lot of practise and time to get your nails perfect and to avoid smudges. The amount of times I have smudged my nails or accidentally gone onto my skin, but keeping trying and you will eventually get the hang of it. 

Wait about 10 minutes until your nails feel a little dry and then add your Top Coat. This makes your nail polish last longer and avoids chipping. It also leaves a high gloss to your nails as well. 

                                                     

There we have your finished nails. Hope you enjoyed this blog post. 

The British Tag!

I have arrived back from my holiday in Turkey today. I have not slept since 11 last night as my flight was at 2.30am and did not really sleep on the plane. As a result, I am shattered but am too overtired to sleep, so I thought I would do a simple and easy blog post today. Sorry I haven't put the last part of my bikini summer guide up yet, but don't worry I will try and get round to that very soon.

As my holiday is unfortunately over, I now need to try and get back into the swing of things. My A2 school work needs to be completed (now, that I have my results!), my 17th birthday is coming up, which has been a long time coming, and I am so excited to finally learn how to drive! I need to come up with a regular schedule for my blog and make a list of some ideas for future posts. (If you have any ideas, don't hesitate to leave a comment, I would love to hear what you would like me to post). So, over the next couple of weeks I will be organising myself and my life.

However, today is going to be a lazy day as I cannot concentrate for too long before my eyelids start to slowly shut down. Therefore, this post is going to be quick and easy!

Recently, I have seen many YouTubers and bloggers posting "The British Tag!" and as a fellow Brit myself, I thought I would join in the trend. I have also down a TMI Tag which you can see here if you would like to learn more about me.

1) How many cups of tea do you have a day and how many sugars?

I have one cup of tea every morning to wake me up and prepare me for the rest of the day. I can get very grumpy if I don't have my morning cuppa! Another cup around late morning. One at lunch. One at late afternoon and one in the evening after my dinner. In total, I have five cups of tea. However, this can vary depending on the seasons as I will have more tea during the winter in order to warm myself up and less in the summer. Also, I drink a lot of tea to get me through exam season and revision. I do not have any sugars in my tea as I think it tastes disgusting.

2) Favourite part of your roast?

My favourite part of my roast dinner are the roast potatoes (crispy, of course!), gravy (mmmmmmm!!!) and Yorkshire Pudding (yum!).

3) Favourite dunking biscuit?

I tend to go through different stages of eating biscuits with my tea. But, my favourite dunking biscuit would probably have to be a Custard Cream.

4) Favourite quintessentially British pastime?

My favourite British pastime is going down to Swanage with my family. Sitting on the beach, hearing the waves, smelling the sea salt, eating fish & chips (obvious, that is the most British thing!) Also, Swanage do the best fish & chips ever. Then, finishing the day off with wasting my money in the arcade on stupid 2p machines and eating proper vanilla ice cream.

5) Favourite word?

I really like the word "giggle" for some reason, I have no idea why, but I just like the sound of it. I also really like the word "mango", even though I don't eat mangoes. Weird.

6) Cockney slang rhyme?

I actually don't know any except "up the apples and pears" which is stairs, but I think everybody knows that one.

7) Favourite sweet?

My favourite sweet by far has to be Cherry Drops. I absolutely love them! They are the best sweets ever! But, they don't sell them in most shops, so when I do eventually find them I end up buying quite a few packets. Other sweets I like are the Haribo Fangtastics, Flying Saucers, Lips & Teeth, Strawberry Laces etc.

8) What would your pub be called?

Ummm... that's tough. The Flying Saucer. I have no idea why, it was the first thing that came into my head. Probably because of the previous question.

9) No. 1 British person?

I have no idea. Probably, Prince Harry because he is a bit of bad boy but is also adorable at the same time.

10) Favourite shop or restuarant?

Topshop. Every time I step into Topshop there is always something I can find. If I could only shop at one shop it would have to be Topshop. I really like Bill's Restaurant which is quite expensive but the food is so yummy that it is worth the money. Also Ed's Diner, which is like a old American diner, with red booths, black and white checked floor, and on each table is a little juke box machine which you can put money in and play old songs. Plus, there burgers and milkshakes are really good.

11) What British song pops into your head?

"Never Forget" - Take That

12) Marmite?

No way! I hate the smell and the taste of it so much.

Hope you enjoyed this blog post, it was a little bit different from previous posts, but I do like to mix it up once in a while. Let me know if you like these type of posts and if you would like to see more. 

This Summer's Bikini Guide: Part 2

Just before, I go on holiday tomorrow, I thought I would post the second edition of my Summer Bikini Guide. This blog post focuses on the bikini bottom. (For, the bikini top, click here.) This season, there are so many different designs, patterns and styles of bottom for your bikini. From the high-waisted to the cut out, there is something for everyone.

I have been searching the Internet for as many different styles and colours for you guys to choose from, even supplying you with the links, so you can check them out for yourself if you are interested, and also the prices, so you know exactly what sort of money you would be spending. I have also given you two additional options that you could pair with your bikini this summer. However, in this post I have included some luggage, so you can travel in style.

So, without further ado, let's take a peek at This Summer's Bikini Guide: Part 2!

1) Coral Hawaiian Print Tie Side Bikini Bottoms - New Look - £7.99

These bikini bottoms scream out summer for me. It has a perfect Hawaiian print on the bottoms which look so cute and perfect for lounging by the pool in. I really like the bow detail at the side, adding a little bit of style to these otherwise quite plain bottoms. The back of the bottoms cover your bum, so you don't have that on show (perfect, if you aren't that confident showing it off!). As well as the beautiful colours and design of these bottoms, the price is avoidable which makes them even more endearing! 

2) Minkpink Baby Blue High-Waisted Bikini Briefs - Urban Outfitters - £35

The second pair of bikini bottoms I have picked out are these high-waisted bikini briefs from Urban Outfitters. These bikini bottoms are on the higher end of the spectrum, but let's not talk about the price just yet. Firstly, the high-waisted bikini bottoms are bang on trend this season. In whatever high-street shop you step into nowadays, you are bound to find a pair of high-waisted bikini bottoms, scattered around somewhere. I adore the high-waisted trend, as I think it is perfect for those of you, like me, that doesn't like the show their bum area to much! They cover just the right amount of flesh without you looking like a complete granny. The print of these bottoms are ultra feminine and are adorable for the summer time. I love the baby blue colour and I also like how the pattern is not all over the briefs, but are just focused on the middle, making them not too overbearing. Now, let's talk about the price. At £35 these bottoms are expensive, and personally, I would not pay that amount of money, but if you are travelling this year or you go away quite a lot (which involves the sun, water or the beach!) then I think these would be perfect and maybe you should invest in them, as I think you would get so much wear out of them! If you are interested in these bottoms, then they are an online exclusive, so they will not be supplied in any stores. 

3) Pink Box Pleat Bikini Pants - Topshop - £12 

The next pair of bottoms are from Topshop and are quite simple. These pale pink block colour pants are perfect for those of you that like to keep it simple and not too over the top. I love the colour of these bottoms to start with, as I think that pastel colours are on trend, but are better than a really bright block colour. For an added bit of detail, these pants have a little cream frilly detail at the top of the bottoms, which makes them so much more feminine and unusual. Plus, if you are into this season's mix-and-match trend, then you could pair these bottoms pretty much with any top you wanted. At £12 I think they are at a reasonable price for Topshop and you would get so much wear out of these as well. If you are not a pink lover, then no worries, as they have them in Mint, (which is my favourite colour!) 

4) Blue Frilly Bikini Bottoms - River Island - WAS £10 THEN £5 NOW £3

Another pair of frilly bottoms for y'all. However, the fringing of these are more noticeable than the Topshop ones. Again, if you prefer block colours, then these bottoms are made for you. Plus, at only £3, that is such a bargain! These bottoms are more mini, then the others, but if you are more confident with your body and don't mind showing a bit more flesh, then I would recommend this style of bikini bottom for you.  

5) Black Floral Cut Out Side Bikini Bottoms - River Island - £12

The last pair of bikini bottoms I discovered were these floral ones. Another style of bikini bottom is the cut-out. However, I think that these bottoms embrace two of this season's trends which are obviously the cut-out, but also the high-waisted. Although, these don't have such a high-waist as the Urban Outfitters ones, they do have a slight raised pant effect to them. The pattern of these remind me of an oriental design (sort of the type of pattern you would get on a kimono) which I think looks so sophisticated and elegant. You can't really see the cut-out, which I think is quite good as it doesn't appear to be a massive cut-out, which I think would be a bit OTT. These bottoms have quite a subdued more grown-up look to them, than the other designs but still perfect for the summer. 

Now, for the accessories...

6) HOTBED Two Part Footbed Sandals - Topshop - £26 

When I saw these sandals I instantly fell in love, not only because they are in mint green, but also the style of the sandal. I really liked the cross over front at the bottom of the sandal as it adds a bit of a subtle design, without being too outrageous. I also liked the fact there wasn't that bit which goes in between your toes, as I personally prefer sandals which you can just slip on. I really liked the buckle as I prefer a simple buckle, rather than lots of buckles, which gets a bit annoying after a while. These sandals add a pop of colour to any outfit and they look so comfortable as well. If you are not keen on Mint Green, then they also have them in Orange. 

7) Red Snake Print Wheelie Suitcase - River Island - £65 

The last item is a little bit different. Don't just let your bikinis do the talking, why not get a stylish suitcase to put all of your beautiful bikinis in. I love the pattern and snake-skin effect on this suitcase from River Island and for only £65, I didn't think that was too bad for a suitcase like this. It has a zip around fastening and exterior pocket, making it extra safe for your belongings. I love the block colours that accompany the snake-skin pattern, the deep burgundy, black and beige really makes the suitcase come alive. Another bonus of getting this suitcase is that when you come to collect your luggage on the conveyor belt, you will instantly see your suitcase coming as it will stand out from the crowd of black and grey luggage. 

Well, that is my second edition of my summer bikini guide and I hope you enjoyed it. I will have one more edition of the guide to do, so keep your eyes peeled for that. Unfortunately, it won't be out for a couple of weeks, as I am going on holiday tomorrow for two weeks, so it will be out shortly after that. 

This Summer's Bikini Guide: Part 1

Every females summer staple is to have a flattering, sophisticated swimsuit. Whether it is a bikini or a all-in-one this summer, I have decided to make a summer guide based on the traditional swimwear. In the first part of this summer guide, I have searched for some bikini tops, in as many styles and designs as possible, as well as showing you what you can pair your bikini top with. Don't worry I will have the bikini bottoms on a separate post, but for now it is all about the top.

With so many different designs out there on the high-street at the moment, you are truly spoilt for choice. From a triangle cup top to a strapless fringed top, there is something out there for everyone.

Also, if you are not comfortable wearing a bikini, then, hang on, as I will be posting an all-in-one swimsuits later on this summer guide. Additionally, if you are on the hunt for a cover-up this summer, then why not try out this season's latest trend: the kimono 

So, here you are and I hope you enjoy.

1) Green Tribal Print Moulded Triangle Bikini Top - New Look - £9.99

The first style you could go for this summer is the triangle cup bikini top. I love the mint green and duck egg blue aztec print on this bikini and I like how the black straps makes the bikini stand out more. The triangle cup is big this summer, with lots of high-street stores taking inspiration from the Triangl Swimwear range (which by the way are so beautiful!) This bikini top is padded which I feel is a must for any bikini top, but I also love the back of the top which is kind of like a bra clip-on at the back, which makes it so much easier to put on, rather than fiddling around trying to tie a knot at the back. 

2) Kelly Brook Blue Floral Embroidered Underwired Longline Bikini Top - New Look - £19.99

Recently, Kelly Brook has introduced her own swimwear range in all New Look stores across the country. I did know about this for quite a while, but never actually had a look at the range myself. While looking online, I couldn't resist having a quick peek around myself, and I have to say, most of the bikinis look so beautiful and flattering. I really liked this navy bikini top with the cute flower pattern incorporated in the design. If you are not comfortable flaunting your assets, then this bikini top is an option as it covers you up a bit more, but still looks pretty and feminine. Once again, this top has the bra-style clip-on at the back of the top making it more easy to take on and off. 

If you don't really like the colour of this bikini top, or want it in a more bold colour, then they do have it in Red and Yellow. 

3) Light Green Ditsy Floral Extreme Push Up Bikini - New Look - £14.99 

When I saw this bikini top, it reminded me of the Cath Kidston design, and I just thought it was so adorable. Once again, this bikini top does have the clip-on at the back, making it easy and versatile. I found this bikini top more of a subtle pattern instead of a garish, loud and bold pattern. It looks so feminine and if you are a girly-girl then this top would be perfect for you. 

Again, if you don't like the mint green colour then they have it in Light Blue. 

4) Black Tropical Fringed Bandeau Bikini Top - River Island - £16.00 

If you prefer to add some drama to your bikini top, then why not try one out with fringe detailing. This makes your bikini more noticeable and different. To make this bikini more versatile, it has detachable straps, which means you can decide whether you want the straps on or off. Plus, you could wear it with the straps on in the pool, but then take them off when sunbathing, in order to avoid those tan lines. 

The top also has moulded cups and a clip back fastener, making it more flattering and keeping in with this season's trends. 

5) Blue Floral Check Bustier Bikini Top - River Island - £16.00 

I really liked the checked pattern with the floral detailing on this bikini top. I think it looks simple but adds a pop of colour for this summer. It has moulded cups, a clip back fastener and detachable straps. Also, if you have fallen in love with this bikini top, then you better hop online, as this is a web exclusive and will not be available in the shops. 

So, those are all of the bikini tops, let's see what I accessorised with it...

6) Limited Edition Lime Retro Sunglasses - River Island - £10.00 

When I saw these sunglasses I instantly fell in love with them. I loved the colour of the shades as it had a half-gold tone to them which I thought was perfect for the summer. I really like the style of the sunglasses as I think they are right on trend this season. But, what I liked the most was the lime green block colour at the top of the sunglasses which I think added a bit of subtle style and made the sunglasses more interesting and unique. A must-have essential this summer! 

7) Cuzco Luggage Bag - Topshop - £45

An over-sized bag is another must-have this summer, especially if you are heading abroad. This bag would be the perfect hand luggage as it is probably a good size, meaning you could pack all your on-board essentials while still looking stylish at the same time. It also has a mirror and pom pom detailing. What more could you want! I know the price is high, but think about the amount of times you would reuse this bag for years to come. I know personally I could get some much use out of this bag, that the price wouldn't matter as much. 

My Week & Clothes Haul

I haven't blogged in a while, due to having a busy week this week, which is quite unusual for me. I am the sort of person that waits for each day to come and then decide what I am going to do on that day. However, over the last three days I have had some plans which I will now talk to you about.

Last weekend, my parents went away to Milton Keynes in order to attend an event there. They stayed at a hotel and then travelled home the next day. However, opposite the hotel was a massive Primark, River Island, H&M, New Look, etc. Before heading home, they decided to have a look around, and, when they arrived home, my parents had treated me to some items from Primark and Next. I was not expecting this one bit, and I felt like a little child at Christmas, opening up my presents.

So, I thought I would share with you guys what I got...

Kabuki Brush - £2.50 

The first thing I got was a powder brush. I really like the make-up brushes from Primark as I think they are just as good and do the same job as a high-end brush would do. I would recommend getting Primark brushes if you are new to make-up, like myself and then maybe getting a more expensive brush when you become more confident applying make-up.

Two packs of Antibacterial Hand Wipes - £1

Next up I got two packets of Antibacterial Hand Wipes, which are great to use during this sticky and humid weather we are currently getting in England at the moment.

Necklace - £6

Recently, I have been loving statement necklaces and when I saw this one in the bag I fell in love with it. I love the pastel colours used in the necklace which are great for the summer time. I wore this necklace to my brother's graduation, which I will talk about later in this post.

Owl Mirror - £2

This little, cute Owl Mirror will be perfect for my make-up bag. I think it is always useful to have a mirror on you at all times, as you never know when you might need it.

Dress

I love the colours and the material of this sun dress. I wore this to the Odney Club (which I will talk about later in this post). The material had a silky feel to it, which left me feeling cool and I think it would look great on holiday over a bikini, after you get out of the pool.

Pink Pumps - £4

These bright pink pumps would go perfectly with the sun dress above and I think I would probably get a lot of wear out of these, as I could wear them to sixth form either with trousers or a skirt in the winter.

Beige Pumps - £8

I got another pair of pumps as well. I really love the colour of these pumps as they would go with anything in my wardrobe and I could wear them all year round. I love the fact the pumps have a chain and strap which makes them a little bit different and adds a bit of colour. Again, I think I would get a lot of wear out of these.

Skirt - WAS - £22 NOW - £10

There was a sale on in Next in which I got this pastel pink skirt with beige pattern on it. I think this looks really summery and would be perfect for sixth form as well. I would pair this with the beige pumps above and for half price as well! What a bargain!

Stripy Pumps

These stripy pumps were also from the Next Sale. I'm not sure how much they cost as I took the label off. I have worn these already and they are super comfortable. I really love the colours as I don't own any black and white shoes or stripy shoes for that matter. I think these would look great with shorts and a crop top or maybe in the winter with black skinny jeans and a jumper. I think you could probably get a lot of different looks out of these one pair of shoes.

Dry Shampoo - £2.99

Another thing I wanted to share with you was this Batiste Dry Shampoo Original. Now, this year I have been testing and trying new things that I wouldn't normally do. For example, wearing make-up is something totally alien to me but I have been really enjoying it. Another thing is my hair. I never really did much to my hair except getting the occasional short cut. However, this year I have opted to grow my hair and try new hairstyles and products. Last weekend, my cousin straightened my hair, and, as I don't own a pair of straighteners myself (but I am asking for a pair for my birthday) I was so excited. I really loved my hair straight (as I do have naturally curly hair). In order, to keep my straight hair for as long as possible, I went out and bought some dry shampoo. I had heard about dry shampoo before, but never tried it out and I am so glad I did. It is like a miracle worker. It is so easy and simple to use as well. All you have to do is spray it onto your roots and massage it in and it feels like you have just washed your hair. This would be great if you don't have time in the morning to wash your hair or if you are going to a festival this summer, then this is a must-have. I also really liked the smell of the original shampoo which was a massive plus.

On Tuesday, I travelled to Swanage for the day with my mum and dad. Swanage is my childhood holiday destination, as we used to always go to Swanage and rent out an apartment and me and my two brothers spent out summer holidays, either playing on the beach, building sandcastles or splashing in the sea, or in the arcade, wasting the last few pennies we had on us or trying to sweet-talk our dad into giving us some money to play on the machines. These are some of my fondest memories and ones I will always treasure for a long time. Therefore, I could not wait to finally arrive. We got up bright and early and went out to get some breakfast. Then, we started on our journey. It took us longer than usual, due to traffic and the queue for the ferry was so long we had to go all the way round in order to get into Swanage. But, we finally arrived, and the weather was amazing!

View from the beach

The beach was packed and the sun was blaring down on the sand, which made it so hot to walk on, but it was such a nice day and I even managed to get a tan on my back, which I was quite proud of. As well as sunbathing, I went into the sea, which was so warm and lovely to dip your feet into.

Obviously, I had to make a quick visit to the arcade, to play on the 2p machines, but I didn't win anything, except gaining a few pennies out of the machine!

And another...

Then, me and my mum headed to this little knick-knacky shop called The Curiosity Shop, which has all sorts of bits and bobs, from sea ornaments for your home to bracelets and rings, but I didn't find anything I liked there, so we decided to leave.

I took this when we were on the ferry coming home. 

Recently, they have opened a tiny New Look in Swanage and I couldn't resist having a quick peek inside. This was the wrong idea, as I soon found lots of things I really liked, and ended up buying some clothes for my holiday.

Later on, we had some fish & chips for dinner (a must-have when going to the beach) and headed home.

Here is what I got from New Look...

Trousers - £19.99

I found these patterned trousers which are quite baggy and have a turned-up end. I thought these would be perfect to travel in on the plane as it is normally air-conditioned and these were so adorable. I also own a pair of harem pants and I got so much wear out of them, so I will probably do the same to these. I also love the colours and they are so bright and summery. Perfect for holiday!

Blouse - 14.99

When I saw this blouse sitting on the hanger, I knew instantly I had to have it. I think this would be perfect for sixth form in September as it can be quite warm when we return. This is me all over and I cannot wait to wear it! I am also a big sucker for a Peter Pan collar which made me want it even more!

Maxi Dress - WAS - £29.99 NOW - £15

I have never worn a maxi dress in my life, but I always wanted to try one out and it was in the sale so it was perfect. I love the deep royal blue with the bright pink aztec print incorporated in the dress. I love how the dress goes in at the top, leaving a baggy look on the top half. When I tried it on, it fitted perfectly and was very flattering. I love the silky material and it made me feel very grown up. Very pleased with this purchase!

Yellow Crop Top - £9.99

I have quite a few of this style of crop top and have already got so much wear out of them. I have one in a duck egg blue and a white one as well. I was going to get this crop top a while ago (which I have mentioned in a previous blog post) but they didn't have my size, however I have finally got it and I know I will constantly be wearing it.

Orange Vest - £9.99

My last item I got from New Look was this silky vest top. I thought this would go perfectly with the trousers and I will be wearing this to the airport. I don't normally go for these type of tops but it was very flattering on and I couldn't resist.

On Wednesday, I went to the Odney Club in Cookham as my cousin, Hannah invited me to go there so we could go swimming and rowing. It was such a great day out, and it was even better as we got beautiful weather as well. We arrived at the club (which you do need to be a member of but as Hannah worked there we didn't have to pay), and got our bands in order to go to the outdoor swimming pool. As we got in the pool, it was the perfect temperature, not too hot but not too cold either. We swam around for about an hour and a half, as they did have floats as well so we chilled on them. Then, we got changed and headed to get some food.

A view from the boat

I chose the Tomato, Pesto and Mozzarella Panini with Chips and a lemonade, while Hannah opted for a Fish Finger Sandwich with Chips. Hannah ended up sharing my lemonade in the end.

Hannah's fish finger sandwich

My Tomato, Mozzarella and Pesto Panini

After we had eaten our lunch, we went to reception to get the Boat Key. You have to pay a deposit of £5 which you get back at the end, they give you a key and you get your life jackets and oars from the nearby shed. Then, you open the padlock of your numbered boat, hop inside and off you go. It was so much fun, hard work and hilarious at the same time. We managed to get into a routine, and we did survive in the end, although, some man did crash into us at one point but we just laughed it off.

Once we had locked up the boat and returned the life jackets and oars, we went to get an ice cream and cool off.

Another view from the boat

Finally, on Thursday I went to my brother, Alex's graduation. It was again such a great day and the weather was so hot that we all ended up melted by the end of it. It was held at the Festival Hall in South Bank which was such a lovely place. Unfortunately, there wasn't any air conditioning in the entrance, plus hundreds of people radiating body heat did not help the situation. Let's just say that everybody was fanning themselves.

Inside the graduation ceremony, it was much cooler and bearable. The ceremony was very long but it eventually got to Alex and we all gave a massive cheer. He also shook hands with Jacqueline Wilson which was so cool, as she is my favourite childhood author. I have read all of her books and my favourites are probably either Double Act or My Sister Jodie.

Anyway, that was my week, quite busy but very enjoyable. Hope you have all had a great week. What have you been up to?

All images in this blog post we taken by me.